Last year the firm, the world's largest maker of computer networking equipment, had shed 10,000 posts.

Cisco warned that growing economic uncertainty was creating an environment in which it was becoming increasingly difficult to clinch business deals.

John Chambers, the firm's chief executive, said the buyers of Cisco's networking equipment were becoming more reluctant to make large purchases, because of the uncertain economic conditions in Europe and other parts of the world, including India.

The company did not specify which operations will be trimmed in the latest job cuts.